Abu Bakr on Custody: A divorced mother has more right to her children

Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab had married a woman of the Ansar and she gave birth to ‘Asim ibn Umar, then he divorced her. Umar came to Quba’ and he found his son ‘Asim playing in the courtyard of the mosque. He took him by the arm and placed him in front of him on his mount. The grandmother of the boy noticed him and argued with him until they were brought before Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him. Umar said, “He is my son.” The mother said, “He is my son.” Abu Bakr said, “Leave him and her together.” Umar did not repeat what he had said.